Lessons Learned at Midnight

For I know the thoughts I have towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

         Tonight after returning home from my first cruise I seem to be struggling with sleeping tonight. Maybe it's because my dinner wasn't as large as it was on the cruise ship or it could be Good wanted me to take the time to jot down some things He has been saying for a long time. 

         A few nights before we were to leave on the cruise my aunt called me to tell me she was proud of me and said that I have a pretty good understanding of the sovereignty of God. Looking back over things maybe I do and maybe I don't. I do believe that I learned something tonight in the middle of my struggle to relax and sleep how God is continually reminding me of how much I am already blessed. I have learned that living in the past only leads to lots of depression with all the would have, could have, and should have thoughts. God took me down a trip of memory lane. I got to thinking about how He brought my wife to me and I wasn't even looking for her. 

          Flashback about three years and it was probably the first time my now wife ever saw me. It was Vacation Bible School at Fincastle Baptist Church. I was working with the kids as I was accustomed to doing most of the week every year. I didn't know who she was and I didn't even remember her face but she remembered mine. Flash forward October 18 she happened to oversleep that morning and didn't make it to first service and ended up going to second service where I was accustomed to ushering and helping people find seats. Of course when you are the guy passing the offering plate at church and you are one of only eight people standing you are easy to spot. My now wife became that much more determined to find out who I am. Naturally the easiest route to stalk people is Facebook and of people to hunt you down through is your pastors friend list. Later that afternoon I received a friend request on Facebook and a message about how this woman knew me from somewhere and had couldn't remember where. Naturally being myself I am always up for making conversation and a new friend so I corresponded. Looking back at everything tonight after two and a half years of marriage, one inherited son, and one handsome baby boy (that's what everyone on the cruise ship said about him) borne to me, I'm finally starting to understand who God is and how He works. 

           This is something that you never see coming or predict. I know that I am blessed beyond measure. Don't get me wrong marriage is tough especially when you have kids. The Bible says when two people get married they become one. Guess what when blend two things together it's really messy but when brings it together no matter how messy life gets He holds the two people together but only if you do Jeremiah 29: 12-13 which says, "Then you will call upon Me and go pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all of your heart." 

         When I was working at VBS and ushering on Sunday morning I was doing what was accustomed to me. I wasn't looking for a wife. I had been praying for one for years. No one ever seemed to fit the bill. This past Mother's Day a friend of mine who is like a mom to me I wished her a happy mother's day P31. For those of you who aren't Christian or might be knew to the faith P31 is short for Proverbs 31. She responded back by saying that she was happy that I have my own P31. If it wasn't for God's handy work in this whole deal I wouldn't have met her. In God's sovereignty He brought this life I live about. Without Him I wouldn't have my wouldn't have my wonderful bride(my P31), my two sons, or the loving support system I have gained by God laying it on one sweet woman's heart not to give up until she found the other person that God made for her. I'm so blessed that person is me .

Allison I love you Momma Bear. Thank you for always being that P31 I need and our family needs. You're truly a heaven sent blessing. You're amazing and very much appreciated by me. 

The Sweetest Blessing This Side of Heaven and One More

And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone: I will make him a helper comparable to him. Genesis 2:18

         I must say that as I get older every year I think life goes by faster and faster. I think deep down everybody wants somebody. I have spent the majority of my first 27 years in this life as a bachelor. Being a single man has it's advantages. I had my entire life set up in a daily routine. I loved it. No one to answer too but myself. I will say that when the lights would go out and there was no fun to be had or chores to do the walls seemingly closed in. I am very much a people person and love talk and get to know people but the nights alone and staring at the walls trying to sleep. I would be lonely. I truly believe that there is a man for every woman and a woman for every man and they are supposed to spend this life together until death do they part. I am a firm believer that God designed marriage to be between a woman and a man for a lifetime. I wanted that with someone. I searched for several years because I believed that God didn't mean for us as His Word says that we aren't meant to go through this life alone. Now for some they can but the majority of us don't have that calling. I knew in my heart from when I was a teenager I wanted a family of my own. At the young age of 16 a beautiful sweet little girl came into this world my niece. Holding that precious little angel for the first time changed my life. From that day on I wanted to be a dad someday. I didn't know when that day would come but I often prayed for the my future spouse and thought I might be staring at her a few times before but for some but for some reason it just never quite worked out. Now I know why.

         Looking at my life since last October it has underwent rapid change and been turned upside down. I went from being the male bachelor to the old married man with a seven year old son. Needless to say it wasn't what I had planned. I started looking at myself and praying that God I am definitely not ready to be a husband or a dad. I didn't think I was mature enough or responsible enough to lead a family just because I doubted myself. Sure I can handle the pressure of being in a leadership role at work but it doesn't mean I am ready to be husband or especially a dad. The truth is no one is ready to be a dad but the odd thing is that's when God shows up.

         I was visiting my parents and watching tv with them when I received a friend request followed by a Facebook message. The message was from someone claiming that she knew me from somewhere but couldn't place me. That person being Allison Whitlow. A 29 year old single mom with a seven year old son. I found out later she just saw me at church a few times and thought I was a tall drink of water and was looking for an angle to get my attention. Well me being me I continued the conversation just being my normal self. She hinted she wanted to go see the new Left Behind movie with Nicolas Cage. I was like well if you want to go I wouldn't mind taking you to it. I found out later that my Allie couldn't believe that it would be so easy to get me on a date. I figured that it would be one and done. I had no expectations and actually thought it would never go anywhere but at least it just might be fun. Well I must say it went surprisingly smooth. We one date turned into two, and then more followed. I remembered thinking in November that this is going to smooth and can't be right. I didn't see any red flags and her parents were really nice to me which hasn't always been the case. I was looking for a reason to run but something in me said stick it out. Well I came down sick and needless to my Allie was a good nurse. She took care of me. By the time December rolled around I started seeing the reasons why I should stay. It wasn't to get more Christmas presents I assure you.

           I realized who and what I had. Allison Whitlow had/has one of the sweetest servant hearts that I have ever seen. It was the first time I found someone that I couldn't out do. Then I started thinking I might want to keep this one. Well I must say that I am glad I did. I went to Kay Jewelers after figuring/finding out what ring she would love. I was standing there in the store at the mall trying to make up my mind if I was sure. Well I said to myself this will be the final time I purchase a ring for the purpose of asking a woman for her hand in marriage. I purchased it and then asked her parents for permission. To hear her dad say to me that I was answer to prayer touched my heart. I have been a whole lot of things but that isn't one I hadn't heard before. I proposed on December 27, 2015 at the Mill Mountain Star I knew that I was going to have the privilege of being a husband and a dad. I must say that I didn't know how quickly my life would change.

           We said I do on May 2, 2015. Allison Whitlow Mullins and Courtney Landon Whitlow became my wife and son. Looking back at life since October 2014 I must say that I wouldn't want to change a thing. I love being a dad and I thoroughly enjoy every minute with my son. I adore my wife. She is the sweetest blessing this side of heaven. What inspired this was hearing the song a sweet little girl named Grace sang at our wedding. The song was by Matthew West entitled, "When I Say I Do." Allison all I want to say to you is I can't thank you enough for loving me. I can't thank you enough for what you and Court have added to my life. You and our son are answers to my prayers and have added a whole new dimension and purpose and meaning to my life. I have no doubts that there is a God in heaven because without Him I never would have met you. I love you so very much my wonderful bride and not to mention our stinker butt.

           To my in-laws Bob and Jane thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter and helping her with our son until I came into the picture. Thank you for the love and kindness you have shown me. I love you both mom and dad. 

            To anyone who might read this my prayer is that it isn't just a love story but it's how God answered the prayers of many to make a happy marriage and complete a home that was missing a daddy. I'm so thankful that I am that daddy. Lastly to those who haven't met the right one, just be patient. God is omniscient meaning He knows everything and He knows who the right person is and when you two will meet.

May God Richly Bless You

Life Beyond The Rio Grande

 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28: 18-20

       Hello my friends. It has been awhile since I posted on here but I felt lead to talk about my latest adventure south of the Rio Grande. I recently was gone on a mission trip to Rio Bravo Mexico. I must say that it was life changing experience. Here in America I enjoy everyday what the average family enjoys(smart phones, laptop computers, WIFI internet, Starbucks, climate control, satellite television, and so on). I was able to enjoy a some time spent without any modern technology or should I say modern conveniences. After this trip I don't know that I want these modern conveniences anymore. I am beginning to think that they are modern inconveniences to be honest.

        I was preaching this morning a sermon that I called Fearless Following Day Nine. God gave me this while I was laying sick in bed with the stomach flu on Day Seven of an eight day mission trip. Tom and Debbie Turner granted me some time to lead a devotion in the airport while we were waiting to board our plane Monday morning. The passages of scripture were Joshua 1: 1-9 and Matthew 28: 16-20. Joshua was commanded by God to be strong and very courageous three times in the first nine verses and the way to be prosperous was to meditate in the book of the law day and night. God was commissioning Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. Jesus commissioned us to go tell the whole world who He is and what He did for us on the cross. I started asking myself why don't we go?

       God hit me with a song called "If We Are The Body" by Casting Crowns. I am being convinced that a lot people don't go because they don't know. Then I started asking why don't they know? God revealed something about myself and I am sure many of you can relate that we are too busy with our daily lives. What I really mean is our modern conveniences have us distracted. I love sports, movies, and keeping up with my friends but the danger is that can consume your time and you leave your first love out of the equation. In Mexico I had little to no cell phone service, no television, no Facebook, no air conditioning, but what did I have? I had my favorite Bible, a book by David Platt called "Follow Me", and my prayer journal. To be able to have the time I had to commune with God and develop my relationship with my Savior is something that I didn't know that I was missing. The only way to be strong and very courageous is to pour God's word into you. It's what gives you courage. You read what God did in the lives of the Bible saints and it inspires us to trust and go forward in faith that God will do the same thing for us today. The Bible saints were ordinary humans with extraordinary faith in a great God. Maybe that's what the church needs is a transformed heart especially myself. What can God do in us and through us if we would take the time for Him to prepare us for it. It's like the story of two farmers. Both of them desperately needed rain, and they prayed for rain but only one of them prepared his fields for it. Who really trusted God to send the rain? Who received the rain? The one who had the faith to prepare his fields. We need to start preparing for rain in our lives and realms of influence. Do we really want to serve Jesus and follow His commandment to love one another as He loved us? It would cost us something but the cost for Him was much greater. It may cost us some time and money but it cost Jesus His life. If we were worth dying for how much more would the church be able to impact the lives if we loved like He did. God will open the doors for us to witness but we need to prepare ourselves first. Right now I would love to give up all of my modern conveniences in able to continue growing my faith and in my walk with the Lord like I was in Mexico. I felt a peace that I can't even begin to describe. I can honestly say that it is well with my soul. Sometimes you are the one that ends up being the most blessed when you go somewhere on mission for God. To be honest I saw how happy these people were and some of them live in houses that I wouldn't call a good barns but they were happy and they had Jesus. I am beginning to see that all of our modern conveniences are really just inconveniences. Maybe what we really need is to lose these modern conveniences and be left only with Jesus for awhile. For me I can honestly say that it changed my life in eight days. I am striving and planning on living my life like everyday is Day Nine. Live as if the mission trip never ended. Live with purpose of pouring out His love on those around me. Maybe it would change your life if you were to have the same experience that I had too.

      Lastly, to all my friends I made on this trip and some of you I already knew I thank my God upon every remembrance of you(Phil. 1:3). I consider myself blessed beyond measure to have been able to spend this time with you. The memories I have from being on this trip will last throughout the rest of my life. I love you all and thank you for your testimony in Jesus Christ. Your faith helped inspire mine. I look forward to fellowshipping with all of you again. May God Bless You! 





This Crazy Little Thing Called Love

"Just as the Church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be subject to there husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her," Ephesians 5: 24-25

          Of all days for a football guy like me to writing a blog post is the night of the Super Bowl. Needless to say when God speaks I listen. Being Super Bowl Sunday I have to set my 5th grade Sunday School class up with quite a spread of goodies to celebrate. Needless to say I love my kids and getting to spoil them but I love how they listen when it's time for the lesson. Today's lesson was on the building of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. Why was the Tabernacle built? Simply because God was wanting to dwell among His people. Why because He loved them. God chose to love them and manifest Himself to the rest of the world through them.

         Since Jesus came to die on the cross we now have a new covenant and God has chosen to manifest Himself in a new way. He now manifests Himself to us in our hearts. He wants to manifest Himself to the world through His children by us allowing His light to shine through us. How does this apply in the realms of dating and marriage relationships? You have to look closely at the mans' role in the relationship. 

         Jesus willing chose to go to the cross in order for all of mankind to be reconciled unto God. Jesus loved sacrificially even though some would reject Him. Jesus Himself said no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them. It is God's will that not any should perish but all have everlasting life. So now let's take a step back and look at the actions of Jesus before. Jesus paid our sin debt that we might be brought back into fellowship with the Father. We didn't do anything to earn it. It was a free gift. Now let's apply that to the man's role. The man should sacrificially love his wife or girlfriend and focus on taking care of her the same way Jesus does for Him. He is supposed to be the one to portray Christ's love in the relationship. Loving your wife or girlfriend requires action. It means to spend time with her and serving her.  It means investing in your woman. Where you spend your time and money determines what we has humans value. So what I am saying is this send your lady flowers, send her text or give her a call to let you know you're thinking of her, turn off the ball game to take the time to be relational and share your heart and events from your day, open the door and pull out her chair, and lastly do not be afraid to show that you have a sensitive side. If you tear up or even let one fall I promise it's not sappy. It's the old idea of chivalry with a modern twist. In order for a woman to want to submit to you as the man you have to be a man of Godly character. As men we to focus on our character and that should be what the woman in our lives says is the sexiest thing about us. We need to be men our ladies can respect. That's what we men need is to know our lady thinks we are respectable. If you really want to know what it means to love sit down and study 1 Corinthians 13 and see what Paul says about love. 

          Now ladies it is natural for y'all to love and that's why Paul didn't give you that commandment. In a relationship you are supposed to let the man pursue you. Jesus pursues us and made all the effort. In the same manor we respond to Jesus pursuing us you should respond to your man the same way.Salvation is a free gift and that is how a man is supposed to love you. A man is supposed to make the woman he loves want to pursue him and the man should make himself available to her to do so which requires time together. Now just so you know you shouldn't try to take advantage of your man's generosity because you are supposed to be submissive to your mans' leadership. If he loves you as the Bible says he should you have a man worthy of respect. Even if he's not a believer or isn't loving you right you still are supposed to submit yourself to him. It is easier when he loves you right to be submissive. If you have a man who genuinely loves you as Christ loves the church that should make you want to be submissive to him because He is living out God's word in your relationship. If a guy loves you with a God given love and is a gentleman always. What this means here in America is that your man opens the door, brings you flowers or has them sent to you at work. Now I will say if your man does show his feelings around you he is not sappy. Jesus showed his feeling and the Bible says He didn't just cry Jesus wept. It means he does the little things to show that you matter to him. It's okay if a guy tries to go the second mile for you all the time. Jesus tells us that we should go the second mile. Jesus preached that in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:38-42. There's nothing wrong with a man trying to be the perfect guy. We are supposed to be striving to be the only perfect guy to exist. Just like you take the time to get to know Jesus take the time to invest in your man. Some guys will appreciate a letter in his lunch box, maybe making him his favorite food for dinner or if he works second shift surprise him at work with a hot cooked meal. I mean after all we are men and the way to our hearts is through our stomachs. It the little things that sweeten a relationship. It may mean going to a gun show or a ball game. It might require watching a NASCAR race despite how boring you think watching cars go around circles is.

          Lastly to both men and women I would like to say that don't let your relationships be one sided. If you feel like you can do more to make your relationship better take the time to do it. A better relationship between you and your significant other can begin today. If we began to love one another as Christ loves us how many marriages would be saved? How many couples would stop living in a state of resentment towards one another? I will say until you are born again believer and your sins have been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ you do not know what love is. Until you have experienced His love you don't know what love really is. If you haven't begun with the Lord Jesus already will you consider it today? The Bible God's Holy Word says we can as sure of heaven as if we're there. If you want to know more about Jesus and heaven look me up on Facebook and I will talk to you gladly. My name is Mark Nicholas Mullins from Roanoke Virginia. I hope you have a great day. God Bless!!!! 

     

A Few Heaven Sent Blessings

               I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.

Philippians 1:3

            It's not everyday you meet someone who changes your life almost instantly. Just something about them strikes you differently. You are intrigued by them immediately and it remains a constant theme anytime you're in each others presence. You feel a special bond to them. That peaceful easy feeling that you don't around just anyone. They're your true friends. They're people whom God Himself set in your path to help keep your eyes and heart focused upon Jesus and the cross. That's the most important question in this life do you belong to Jesus? I have several friends who have been willing to stand my side and always show loving support. They have tried to help me keep on pressing toward the goal. Really I wouldn't just call them friends they're my extended family. 

           I remember listening to a sermon by Dr. Jerry Falwell and he mentions that a friend, a true friend is someone who walks in when the rest the rest of the world walks out. Granted your basis of support shouldn't just be your friends or family, we have to allow God to be that cornerstone. Jesus should be our best friend and the one we cling to the most. He should be number one but we still need to remember to give credit to those whom He blessed us with.

          Casey, I would like to begin with you. You and I have similar backgrounds. You're always a joy to be around. You help turn my ADHD into a humorous moment which always makes everyone cheer up that's with us, especially me. You're constant encouragement matched with your sense of humor always is refreshing.

           Pastor Steve Witt, my dear brother. You've been like a dad to me. The love you poured out upon my family before you even knew who we were and vise versa just exemplifies who Christ is. You took me under your wing and showed me more about being a follower of Jesus than I ever could have on my own. I just hope you're still proud of me and where God is taking me.

         Justin what can I say buddy. We have shared our most intimate secrets and struggles together. We have become pillars of strength and accountability partners for each other. I can always shoot you a text letting you know I could use a prayer and I know you will. You're my best guy friend except Jesus. Thanks brother.

        Mitch, I have had the pleasure of getting to know you and your family. I taught your oldest daughter in Sunday school. I know that poor child. You've been helping to strengthen me and keep me on the straight and narrow. Pushing me to grow and regain that passion for loving and serving Jesus. Thank you for what you've done thus far and what plans you have for helping me grow spiritually.

        Reverend Doctor Brian Horton you were a great friend and mentor. I miss you being at Fincastle. I miss being able to enjoy coffee together while wrangling preschoolers. You helped ignite a fire and a passion in me for children's ministry and there's nothing I'd rather do than be a children's pastor. I hope God continues to bless you and your family.

        To my second mom's Momma Lisa and Momma Long thank you for everything. Momma Lisa we've known each other for seven years now. Through an accident we were able to get to know each other. You really do make me feel like a son. You invited me to your church which immediately became my church home. We have had some much fun between work and church. I always look forward to seeing you and your hugs. You encouraged me through the worst times of my young life so far You will always get a Mother's Day card from me. You definitely earn it. Momma Long, I have been so very blessed to know you for four years. You didn't know what to think of me at first and I understand why. Getting to know you and your family has truly been a blessing. You actually let me date your oldest daughter twice and you still talk to me and always encourage me. You always give me Biblical counsel when I ask for it. You are truly incredible. 

         Lastly I conclude with the sweetest person I have ever known. Jenn you mean the world to me. I have always said I could write a book telling the world just how wonderful you are. This world is a better place because you're here. Thank you for everything you have done. You're an example of what a friend should be. Seeing the woman you're becoming in Christ amazes me. Reading your blog An Altogether Different Heart truly touched my heart. You understand ministry and how to love and serve Christ better than me by far. I don't know what all I can really say about you other than I wish you knew how blessed I am to have you in my life. I am eternally blessed. I thank God for you. 

Sacrifice For The Greater Good

                It never ceases that God finds a way to speak to my heart through a song. As it turns out this one broke through all my defenses. The walls walls that encircled my heart were no match this time. I was at work on my lunch break and I started watching music videos on phone. Well I came a across a song called The Car by Jeff Carson. I listened to it a few times and my heart began to ache. Lunch ended shortly thereafter and I hustled to the area I was working in to hide my face from my coworkers. The song was about the relationship between a father and a son. I've been working long hours with lots of overtime for quite awhile and God gave me a revelation. I saw my daddy in me. For the majority of my childhood my daddy wasn't home and never had much time to spend with us because he worked long hours and lots of overtime. There was times he never had a day off for months. As you can probably already tell I'm very close to my daddy. As anybody that knows us will tell you if you've met one then you've met the other. I saw   the decision my daddy had to make as parent that day. I realized my dad had to choose between providing for us or spending time with us and he did what he had to do. It really hit home for me because I'm doing exactly what he did. He sacrificed his time and himself to take care my momma, my brother, and me. He went to work in some of the dirtiest places doing the toughest jobs industrial construction has to offer. In the end he sacrificed his health. He ended up paralyzed at the age of 45 because the love he has for us. Praise God that He made it possible for him to walk again. I was at work trying to run what is called a seamwelder machine and all of those thoughts were swirling in my head as tears poured down my face. It really made me think if how much I missed getting to spend time with him. I felt a longing to just clock out and go see him but  like him bills have to be paid and there's got to be food on the table and that came first. Then another thought entered the back of my mind my heavenly Father reminded me that He was missing time with me even more so than my daddy. Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends." God sacrificed His Son for all of mankind. He gave us His very best. I see the heavenly Father in my daddy. My daddy gave his all to doing the type of work he didn't enjoy doing to make sure I had clothes on my back, food to eat, and a place to sleep. The measure of a man is his heart. Not his wallet. How do you measure God? You can't. How do I know that? He's omniscient. He's everywhere all the time. In closing just remember to say a prayer of praise for your daddy. He's the only one you'll ever have. Lastly, lift up a prayer of thanks to the One who sent His Son to die for you. 

Have a wonderful day. God Bless

Taken Home on the Wings of Angels

             For I am ready to be poured out as a drink offering out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is as hand. I  have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

2 Timothy 4: 6-7

             A dear friend and long time member of Fincastle Baptist Church received his promotion to heaven after 91 years of dwelling among us. I remember the first time I ever met Charles Judy was a couple years ago when the entire church went Christmas caroling and I ended up with the group who went to visit the senior shut ins of the church. Our last stop was Mr. Judy's house and I remember how his face lit up that night. After we sang a few carols for him he started talking with me. I don't recall the topics mentioned in our conversation but I remember his spirit. A man who still was focused on keeping on keeping on. I learned a lesson in faithfulness from this man. A man in his 90's who rarely missed a church service or choir rehearsal despite his ailments. I noticed when our church went to two Sunday morning services Mr. Judy would come to the early service when a lot of people around my age couldn't get there if we tried.There was times I would sit next to him in choir rehearsal and this little 100 pound man would sing with everything he had on every song. To me in my heart he was the anchor of the Fincastle Baptist Choir bass line. I learned more just last night that shows who his heart belonged to and about his faithfulness. He out lived his wife by several years. The last six years of her life she was extremely ill. He took care of his wife every minute never leaving her side those six years. He never even left there home. He had one last great victory. The youth started having an annual car show to support the youth program and the ministries it was involved in. Mr. Judy decided to enter his 1964 Ford Mustang. He hadn't done anything to it. It was all original. It was a stock mustang straight from Ford Motor Company. It was in showroom condition. He won First Place at the car show last year. That's one time I wish I could have been present to see the smile on his face. I can't wait until I see him in heaven with that huge smile on his face with his wife at his side. I know he's in heaven anchoring the bass line in Heavens choir. I just hope I remember the legacy Mr. Judy left with us. Always be faithful in serving the Lord in my church. Be a faithful husband to my wife until she takes her last breath. Just by doing these two things made him an inspiration to us all. Mr. Judy I just hope you know you are very much loved and greatly missed. 

Mr. Charles Judy March 23, 2012 

Safely Home